Joyce Carol Thomas (1938–2016)

If a book makes the reader cry, is it automatically a good book? From birth to death, this collection of poems told with two voices, is an emotional ride. One can feel the love on each page. The words are so descriptive that the reader can tell which milestone we are reading about, even if it is not spelled out for us. By the last 4 pages my eyes where beginning to water. These beautiful poems truly express the bond between mother and daughter. This book would be a great way to introduce show more poetry to older students. They could rewrite the meaning of each poem in their own words. show less

Thirteen poems celebrate the many skin tones to be found in the African-American community, and the diverse families who created them, in Joyce Carol Thomas' The Blacker the Berry. A young boy in Raspberry Black proudly claims his Seminole great-great-grandmother, whose children were "the color of black dipped in red." A young girl comes to understand, in Golden Goodness," that her bronzed skin is a beautiful and generous hue. Another child, in Cranberry Red, notes that her Irish ancestors show more "reddened the Africa in my face."

While I approve whole-heartedly of the dual purpose of Thomas' book, to increase awareness of the diversity within the African-American community, and to promote a positive self-image for the children of that community, I wasn't always "wowed" by the poems themselves. I was also a little uncomfortable with Snowberries, in which a light-skinned girl wishes that she were "as black as midnight." While this might be an understandable feeling, in a world that doesn't acknowledge diversity, it struck me as out of keeping with the affirmative nature of the rest of Thomas' pieces. Surely, if the point is to encourage children to feel good about who they are, then being a "Snowberry" should be something to be celebrated?

Leaving aside this one questionable piece however, the overall tone is one of joy - an impression heightened by Floyd Cooper's beautiful oil paintings, which were awarded the 2009 Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. A lush palette, deft use of light, and a tenderly expressive "tone" make these illustrations a true pleasure to contemplate! Well worth the honors bestowed upon them! show less

This Cinderella story was nothing like the one I have come to know. In this Southern swamp version, Cinderella is lost down the stream because of a hurricane. An evil woman raises her with her two new step sisters. As she got older, they made her cater to them and they got meaner and meaner. One of Cinderella's many talents was to sing, and that she could do really well. The leader of the Great Gospel Choir was retiring so they needed a new leader. Fliers were put everywhere and Cinderella show more wanted to try out. Instead, she was told to help her step sisters learn a song for their audition. When the time came for their audition, they sung horrible and did not win. At the end, Cinderella worked up the courage to sing and everyone loved it; she had a beautiful voice. However, she did not want to be caught at the audition so she ran all the way back home. The choir was searching and searching for her, but she could not be found. They finally found her and brought her to Queen Mother Rhythm. Queen Mother Rhythm realizes that she is actually her daughter that she lost many years ago because of the hurricane. This is a great story to read to children, especially since we live in the South and know all about hurricanes. The setting and illustrations are original to the story of Cinderella and I have truly enjoyed this book. show less

Ages 7-11

In the Land of Milk and Honey tells the true story of Thomas’s family moving from Oklahoma to California in 1948 in search of greater opportunity. The narrator’s voice exudes anticipation, hope, and possibility on the way to San Francisco, a multicultural city filled with music and colors.

Thomas’s narrative unfolds in free form poetry. Examples of alliteration, repetition, simile, and metaphor abound. From the train window, Joyce sees “a snake whose body is a pen writing show more calligraphy” and in San Francisco she hears “ever-changing rhythms / call the feet to follow the beat.”

Floyd creates illustrations with a vintage feel: they are grainy with hints of sepia, reflecting memories recalled from long ago. Floyd includes detailed landscapes with leaping coyotes, lush fields, and the overwhelming expanse of the Golden Gate bridge; however, the illustrations focus on portraits of young Joyce and her family, emphasizing expressions of wonder and close family ties.

For children learning about poetry or how to describe their homes or travels with vivid language, In the Land of Milk and Honey serves as an excellent example. The words evoke all five of the senses to illuminate a special time and place in the reader’s mind. Highly recommended. show less